L.A. asks U.S. Supreme Court to weigh in on Skid Row injunction

L.A. Times: L.A. Now ‏@LANow

L.A. asks U.S. Supreme Court to weigh in on skid row injunction

http://lat.ms/XDXSNK
Retweeted by Anoni


http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2013/02/la-asks-us-supreme-court-to-weigh-in-on-skid-row-injunction.html?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter&dlvrit=649324

Citing an immediate public health threat, the city of Los Angeles will ask the U.S. Supreme Court on Thursday to overturn a lower court ruling preventing the random seizure and destruction of belongings that homeless people leave temporarily unattended on public sidewalks.

If the court takes up the matter, a ruling could have broad implications for cities across the state and nation grappling with how to keep streets clean and safe while respecting the property rights of those who live there.

The Supreme Court filing comes after two years of legal wrangling between Los Angeles officials and homeless advocates over a controversial campaign to clean up downtown’s skid row, which has the highest concentration of homeless people in the city.

“We have an obligation to the homeless, as well as to the other residents and businesses on skid row, to ensure their health through regularly cleaning skid row’s streets and sidewalks,” City Atty. Carmen Trutanich said in a statement. “The current outbreak of tuberculosis among that most vulnerable population should serve as a stern reminder to us all of just who and what is at risk in this matter.” 

More at the link.

I have reported here regarding LA's Skid Row and LA's true seat of power, ccala.org, who are desperate to remove the homeless so that they can continue gentrifying downtown as well as expanding their corporate policing force. LA has been attacking this ruling forever, constantly at work against it, which forces police to put a note on property they suspect may be abandoned, with a 24-hour window. This was fought for to stop them from simply taking whatever they want at will, because a person's medication, ID, legal papers, and personal belongings may be involved and lost, and it's obvious the city doesn't care at all. Skid Row is walking distance from City Hall. Also, this definitely affects other cities. This is horrible, it is terrible. There are true monsters involved.

What are cca's corporate police, which they seek to expand? This is LAPD during one of their many attacks upon OccupyLA marches. Note the ones in purple. They are cca corporate security, acting as police alongside LAPD.

Photo credited in LA Weekly article, to youtube:

blogs.laweekly.com/informer/2011/12/occupy_la_lapd_assist...

Here are red shirts on Skid Row trying to create a reason to call LAPD:



I have video not yet edited of one of them saying he's an "enforcer". What is this corporation telling them?

When OccupyLA found that cca HATED water-soluble children's sidewalk chalk (or more specifically, its use for what they call "intelligence-based graffiti", which in their future plans PDF they mention intending to eliminate from downtown), some took to documenting it. Music artist Michelle Shocked made this short video which at the end features one of cca's purple shirts in true form. Remember, these shirts are hired by a business lobby, and they police the city streets:



I've seen purple shirts harassing the homeless, driving them away. I've seen the red shirts on Skid Row calling LAPD for no reason. I've seen LAPD seizing all of a person's property after arresting them for no reason, including the Catholic Worker shopping carts, which by law no one is supposed to touch. I've heard Skid Row residents say the red shirts are there every morning, looking to torment them. They are certainly ever-present, I've seen it myself.

The head of the cca has stated they have a definite plan regarding the homeless, and this brazen, monstrous attempt to use a TB outbreak to petition the courts to end laws protecting the homeless is certainly proof.

Carol Schatz of cca, 2004: "We have a very specific agenda related to homelessness." In early 2012, cca stopped their street-cleaning and garbage collection services in an area of Skid Row where Occupy Skid Row activists had set up camp. This was alongside their call for a study of the entire area to determine health risks. This study did NOT include the area of the OSR encampment. OSR activists said that the city came through several times to take photos of any resulting garbage but OSR were cleaning things on their own. When the call came down through the study to create change in certain areas of Skid Row (again, NOT including OSR's area), LAPD =first= attacked the OSR street, and forced them out, telling them not to come back. Which they promptly did, causing another police attack, and another re-encampment in the same day. LAPD chief Charlie Beck was seen in in a cruiser which then slowly went past, showing cca's reach and depth. And now cca could be hurting the homeless in other cities, through their unlimited selfishness.

Read more, mostly via Dan Bluemel's excellent articles:

Carol Schatz of the CCA and their outright war against the homeless

http://occupyobservations.blogspot.com/2012/06/carol-schatz-of-cca-and-their-outright.html

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LA CAN's take:

Invisible People ‏@invisiblepeople

Media, LAPD Misrepresent TB Outbreak in Skid Row Creating Unnecessary Fear http://ow.ly/ih8QM  by @LACANetwork

http://cangress.wordpress.com/2013/02/28/media-lapd-misrepresent-tb-outbreak-in-skid-row-creating-unnecessary-fear-and-further-demonization-community-meeting-to-be-held-with-l-a-dept-of-public-health-to-dispel-rumors-around-tb-and-promot/ 

"In the video below, officers justified private security guards illegally going through private property by saying it was 'for your own safety' considering 'all the stuff that has been in the news' about 'people getting sick.' LAPD sits by as BID guards cut open people’s bags – even those clearly marked with Not Abandoned signs."

Bank of America: Despicable beyond Measure

In March 2012, Occupy Fights Foreclosures arrived at Dirma Rodriguez' home after her panic'd phone call to find her and her family and property put out on the street by Bank of America and a home flipper company. This includes Ingrid, a severely disabled 27 year-old who can neither speak nor care for herself.



After two months of fighting to regain her home, including harassing phone calls from BofA after a page 2 LA Times article on this very family and foreclosure (April 13 2012), Occupy Fights Foreclosure discovered fraud in the foreclosure proceeding and forced Bank of America to return their home. The only home Ingrid has ever known, which was customized for her special needs. Among the customizations: Rose bushes all around the yard so that wherever Ingrid goes, she will encounter beauty.

Now, the Hernandez family of the San Fernando Valley in California have been struggling against Bank of America and associated agencies to keep their home, a struggle lasting over four years. Twenty-some days ago, after failing to get BofA and associated agencies to work with them or even reply, the Hernandez family found a notice to vacate on their property. Members of this family happen to be part of Occupy San Fernando Valley, and Occupations across Southern California including the always-solid Occupy Skid Row set up an occupation and a  barricade in front of the house against the inevitable sheriff's assault. (Sheriffs do what banks tell them to do. Sort of a private army, little changed from the days of the "wild west" and robber barons doing land grabs.) Since then, they have been reaching out to neighbors, building community, sharing food and the message of fighting for our homes. And gaining some media attention.

Last night, LAPD and Child Protective Services arrived unannounced at 12:04AM and asked to see the Hernandez children...!



There are obviously water and electricity in the home and the children are happy.

LAPD and CPS showed up again this afternoon so they are obviously intending to force this angle.

Children are not tools for foreclosure. They are not levers to force families into losing their homes. If BofA hate the bad publicity they are justifiably receiving, it is because they are doing things which should be publicly reviled, which demand such publicity. Kicking a victim of extreme cerebral palsy onto the street. Faking concern for the Hernandez children to steal their home. So you can sell foreclosed homes in bulk...

Bank of America, you should be ended. You are despicable beyond measure.

---

Photo: Dirma and her family with members of Occupy Fights Foreclosures.

References:

A Widowed Mother of a Severely Disabled Daughter gets her home back from BofA Thanks to Occupiers

LOS ANGELES — Occupy Fights Foreclosures (OFF), a subcommittee of Occupy Los Angeles, successfully won the home back of a Los Angeles homeowner whose home, they say, Bank of America fraudulently foreclosed on and sold, even after dutiful payments on a temporary loan modification for over a year.

Earlier this week, Bank of America rescinded the sale and foreclosure of Dirma Rodriguez' West Adams home — the title is now appropriately back in Ms. Rodriquez's name. BofA assured Ms. Rodriquez— a widowed mother—and her family which includes a severely disabled daughter with toxoplasmosis cerebral palsy, they are now safe from any future threat of eviction.

http://occupyobservations.blogspot.com/2012/05/dirma-beats-foreclosure.html


BofA launches 2nd round of bulk foreclosure sales

For the second time in five months, Bank of America is tapping the red-hot market for foreclosed homes by seeking bids on a bulk offering of several hundred single-family homes.

Over the past several weeks, the nation’s second-largest bank by assets has solicited bids for a bulk deal that includes up to 500 largely vacant single-family homes, some of which BofA acquired after its merger with Countrywide Financial, according to several sources within the real estate and mortgage sectors. Countrywide was one of the largest subprime lenders in the United States.

The bulk deal, which includes foreclosed homes in California, Florida, Arizona, Texas, Pennsylvania and Georgia, is one of the biggest block offerings of foreclosed homes ever done by a bank, these sources say. 

http://libn.com/2012/04/13/bofa-launches-2nd-round-of-bulk-forclosure-sales/

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Visit Fort Hernandez on Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/OccupyFortHernandez

Follow Fort Hernandez on Twitter:

http://twitter.com/Fort_Hernandez

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Thread daily collecting Bank of America horror stories:

Yet ANOTHER ugly foreclosure story starring Bank of America! Daily additions: BofA horror stories

 http://www.democraticunderground.com/10021337674

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From the above link; needs to be here because it is despicable:

Beloved DC Pastor Fights Eviction; Occupy Our Homes DC Pressing Bank of America for Justice

http://occupyourhomes.org/blog/2012/sep/2/reverend-vanzant-fighting-bofa-eviction/

While Rev. Michael Vanzant was in the hospital recovering from a minor stroke brought on by Bank of America's plans to evict him, we foreclosed on BofA's DC Home Loan office while also asking supporters to shut down their phone lines. We were successful on both fronts. That same day, BofA called Rev. Vanzant in the hospital to set up a call to discuss solutions. Once that discussion began, though, it became clear that they hadn't quite heard us. Rev Vanzant was offered more money to move out of his home in a gentrifying area of NE DC. He is not interested, though we are all pleased that we've made it onto their radar.

We are asking you to take a moment to call the DC Home Loan office and let them know that this isn't about money - this is about keeping communities intact. Please call and demand they work with Rev. Vanzant on a modification - he is not leaving.

Bank of America Home Loan office - DC - 202-797-4940 

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The CCA are forcing the homeless out of downtown into surrounding areas.

Today in South Los Angeles, a homeless man tells of having been forced out of downtown. This is the trend CCA are establishing.

"My name is Jay; I got pushed out of downtown. I just doing my recycling, trying to find a place to stay, don't bother anybody.

...but it's wrong because they're supposed to protect and serve and we're citizens and we're somebody. And I don't like the way they go harassing people. I'm in the newspaper for Rodney King, when we had a memorial for him. And officers just come around, harass, and look at you, and minorities, and look at those they don't have (anything). And we're still somebody. They're doing a lot of wrong. And that's all I'm saying; they do a lot of wrong. And downtown Los Angeles, they're pushing everybody out of downtown LA, trying to build up for the Lakers or Staples Center, whatever; the Haves and the Have Nots. So the Have Nots, we gotta suffer. Why? And it's the United States; you're supposed to take care of your country(men). And that's my message. God Bless."

Carol Schatz of the CCA and their outright war against the homeless

The best parts of this are from the work of Dan Bluemel of LA Activist; articles are linked at the end.


Why do Carole Schatz and the CCA hate the homeless?

In 2011, LA Downtown News released its list of the 42 most powerful people downtown:



6. Carol Schatz, Central City Association

Mayor Villariagosa is listed as number 5.

http://www.ladowntownnews.com/news/the-most-powerful-people-in-downtown/article_8073260a-f08b-5e90-87e6-93dd4ebe7529.html


Carol Schatz said in 2004:

"We have a very specific agenda related to homelessness."

"So, what stands in the way of realizing these aspirations over the next year or two?

Again, we need a supportive policy environment. We need attention paid by the city and county to the issue of homelessness, because we are ground zero here for the United States in terms of the numbers of encampments. Our job is to continue to make the case for why it is extremely important that policymakers focus on these issues, and focus attention on the continued revitalization of downtown. The success of downtown has wide-ranging impacts, spreading wealth and benefits to every part of the city."


http://www.planningreport.com/2004/01/23/la-central-city-associations-carol-schatz-housing-and-need-place-making 

When you look at the events truthfully depicted in the film and book "The Soloist", you will note that the homeless were forced out of an area CCA wished to turn into Profit. 


Did Carol Schatz write an LA Times opinion piece against the homeless?

Enabling homelessness on L.A.'s skid row

Allowing the homeless to keep any and all possessions on sidewalks protects unlawful conduct for a few and ignores the ramifications for most of society.

By Carol Schatz

April 9, 2012

 

http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/commentary/la-oe-schatz-skid-row-deterioration-20120409,0,6118841.story

Edit: Uh-oh! That story is no longer found! So here is the archive:

https://web.archive.org/web/20120713220527/http://articles.latimes.com/2012/apr/09/opinion/la-oe-schatz-skid-row-deterioration-20120409

Take screenshots; they're obviously nervous about people seeing them for who they are! 

Again:

"We have a very specific agenda related to homelessness."


Did the CCA, who are contracted to sweep the streets of Skid Row, empty their trash cans, and power wash twice-weekly cease these contractual services in mid/early May? 

Yes, at minimum at Towne street.


Did the city pass an ordinance against camping/tents in May of this year, seemingly an anti-Occupy bill but is now apparent as an attack upon the homeless city-wide? 

City Hall Moves To Ban Tents, Overnight Camping After Occupy LA Damage

http://losangeles.cbslocal.com/2012/05/30/city-hall-moves-to-ban-tents-overnight-camping-after-occupy-la-damage/ 

 

Where is money meant for the homeless actually going?

Last year, we saw homeless monies taken by the city and handed over to the developer Gensler:

Huge Subsidy for Stadium Architect

Villaraigosa quietly plans to hand Gensler $1 million meant for the poor

How did Los Angeles city leaders turn $1 million intended to help downtown’s homeless and low-income denizens into a proposed subsidy for the global architecture firm designing downtown’s proposed NFL football stadium?

http://www.laweekly.com/2011-04-21/news/huge-subsidy-for-stadium-architect/

and after a flurry of propaganda articles in the LA Times and LA Downtown News against the homeless[1], and a Health Department report skewed by CCA's own refusal to continue their contracted sweeping, garbage collection, and power-washing of Skid Row, genuine attacks began upon the homeless. 


Regarding profitable housing versus homeless housing, their agenda is:

"How much housing is in production, Carol? 

As of December 31, 1998, which is when we first began to see the spike in activity, 12,809 units existed. The grand total now, at the end of 2003, is 14,996 units. There are currently 3,200 units under construction, 812 permitted units, 794 units under plan check, and over 3,000 units under consideration."

That would make 2, 187 active units with 7,806 under way, making a total in of

9,993 units. 

How about for the homeless?

ACLU/City of Los Angeles Settlement Agreement

"A settlement was reached, requiring the city to build 1,250 new permanent supportive housing units, 50 percent of which must be located in Skid Row, in order to enforce an ordinance that prevents street encampments."

http://ccala.org/3-05-achievements.asp

(Click PUBLIC SAFETY, HEALTH AND HOMELESSNESS")

That means 625 units for Skid Row homeless, total, forever, out of a population of many multiple thousands, while in 2004 alone they were working on 9,993 units for profit. In exchange for an ordinance that prevents street encampments. And:

"CCA is monitoring the progress of the new housing units, and will work with the city and community to ensure a balanced approach to any new housing in Downtown."

Yeah, that is shining through.


How about laws involving the homeless?

"Safer Cities Initiative
CCA is a strong supporter of the Safer Cities Initiative (SCI), a crime-reduction program established in Downtown Los Angeles in 2006 under former Chief of Police Bill Bratton. The program has added 50 additional patrol officers to target narcotics-related crime and misdemeanor offenses such as illegal vending, littering, dumping, and vandalism. CCA credits the SCI for dramatically reducing crime and blight in the area."

* $5.7 million dollars are spent a year for homeless services for the entire city, not merely Skid Row.
* $6 million dollars a year are spent on those 50 extra police on Skid Row.
* The SCI allows arrests for anyone sitting or sleeping on the sidewalk between 6AM and 9PM, but that is not mentioned in CCA's description.
* Neither is the fact that the homeless will be arrested for not taking down their tents during this time. [2]
* "Blight" = "The homeless".
*  Littering and dumping? Here is where this money is going...into nice new sports cars:




What about corporations and the rich influencing city government policy and decisions?

"Naturally, our membership includes business leaders from across Los Angeles. We give them access to the policies and people that are shaping the future of Los Angeles and in return, they know CCA is the business organization that gets things done."

Advocating for the business community before the Los Angeles City Council, the County Board of Supervisors and the State Legislature. 

http://ccala.org/

http://ccala.org/3-01-mission.asp

What did Benito Mussolini have to say about exactly this?

"Fascism should more properly be called corporatism because it is the merger of state and corporate power."

Benito Mussolini seen here with a friend:




Corporate police the purple shirts with batons alongside LAPD at an Occupy action. Corporate police! When did corporations get their own thug force and when exactly was the public vote?

 

http://blogs.laweekly.com/informer/2011/12/occupy_la_lapd_assisted_private_security.php

The DCBID's Safe & Clean team, our "Purple Patrol", is committed to assisting those who work, live, and play in the Downtown Center and Historic Downtown. This highly visible team of purple-shirted safety officers and maintenance staff provide daily, 24-hour supplemental services to maintain safety and cleanliness within the district. The Purple Patrol is highly trained to ensure that your visit to the Downtown area is memorable and safe. 

http://www.downtownla.com/5_02_safeAndCleanTeams.asp 

Hmm:

"The operation, requested by Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa..."

http://articles.latimes.com/2012/jun/20/local/la-me-skid-row-cleanup-20120620

Now the attack upon Skid Row has officially begun:


Does CCA openly brag about their influence at city hall?
Yes, although this once-public post is now only viewable through the archive:

CCA PAC Scores Successes at City Hall

"The results are in! CCA was the resounding winner in yesterday’s election."


Where will the homeless go if they are forced out of Skid Row? 

There are no safe directions. There are no "public commons" in which they may rest or sleep, or stop moving for a minute without facing arrest. This has been by design. As well as the recent City Hall ruling against tents in public parks, which worked against Occupy but was now obviously with the homeless in mind as well.

Here are real housing solutions for the homeless:

And the Health Department report recommends long-term housing, with zero word about forcing them out or arresting them!

"Working with people who are homeless and experiencing mental illnesses and other health problems is not easy. Society has at times given up on this vulnerable population and incorrectly concluded nothing can be done to address their issues, or to solve the cycle of despair resulting in long-term homelessness.
We at the Corporation for Supportive Housing (CSH) and many other advocates know differently - there are proven solutions that work. Effective, cost-efficient models that move vulnerable people like Ayers off the streets and into affordable, permanent housing where they can receive the support they need to heal and build better lives."

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/deborah-de-santis/what-emthe-soloistem-tell_b_188776.html
 

Housing project for hard-core homeless pays off

A study of homeless adults housed by L.A. County's Project 50 suggests providing permanent housing to vulnerable populations saves local governments money.

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-0608-homeless-savings-20120608,0,5536032.story


Project 50: Anatomy of a photo essay

http://framework.latimes.com/2010/11/18/project-50-anatomy-of-a-photo-essay/

And at minimum, this falls directly into the Health Department's recommendations:


Portable shower and toilet trailers

http://www.amsglobal.us/


Here is a most brilliant article summing up the entire issue:

Harsh Skid Row policies driven by business lobby, say advocates

http://www.laactivist.com/2012/06/24/harsh-skid-row-policies-driven-by-business-lobby-say-advocates/


What does Occupy and the LA Community Action Network and Catholic Workers have to say about all of this? 

Arrests & Terror at #626Wilshire

State Violence Increases as Occupiers Lay Siege to Perfect Villain

http://ryanricela.wordpress.com/2012/06/22/arrests-and-terror-at-626wilshire/ 

Occupiers on Skid Row were evicted a few days earlier, and re-Occupied:

Occupy Skid Row, Evicted and Re-Occupied!

http://occupyobservations.blogspot.com/2012/06/occupy-skid-row-evicted-and-re-occupied.html



[1]

Major cleanup of L.A. skid row, prompted by health report, begins  

http://articles.latimes.com/2012/jun/20/local/la-me-skid-row-cleanup-20120620

LA County finds health-code violations in Skid Row

http://news.yahoo.com/la-county-finds-health-code-violations-skid-row-234033525.html
  

Editorials: Bad to Worse in Skid Row

(Guess what? There no name attached to this article!)

http://www.ladowntownnews.com/opinion/bad-to-worse-in-skid-row/article_798ece2c-b1b3-11e1-b098-0019bb2963f4.html

Editorials: Trouble on Skid Row Sidewalks

(Nope, no name on this one either.)

http://www.ladowntownnews.com/opinion/trouble-on-skid-row-sidewalks/article_1563c8fa-a13a-11e1-861f-0019bb2963f4.html

A plan to make L.A.'s homeless problem worse?

http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/opinionla/la-ol-homeless-problem-worse-20120613,0,4335768.story

The hilarious thing about the great Ted Rall cartoon in the above article is that under the CCA's strongly supported "Safer Cities Initiative", the homeless person depicted would be arrested for sitting on the sidewalk.



[2] Homeless man threatened with arrest for not taking down his tent between 6AM and 9PM:






Councilman Jose Huizar, whose district will include Skid Row thank to redistricting

This is my understanding from what I have read and been told. All errors are errors.

Occupy Skid Row, Evicted and Re-Occupied!

Update, June 25: General TC Alexander, seen in the second video, was arrested today for 56.11 which is some nonsense like you have to keep your property moving at all times between 6AM and 9PM. Just before this, the fire department gent seen here and thanked for rescuing the bikes, came by to apparently secretly video us while asking questions about some of our favorite police officers. (The phone/camera was in his belt, mostly aiming at TC and myself.) They are desperate to build cases against us through any means.This also shows that they read this blog, among other things. Send in the guy who got the smile. Who did nothing else, just came by, stood and asked questions, and left. Way to build trust, way to build positive relationships.

-------

June 22, 2012.

The CCA ceased performing their contracted street sweeping, power washing, and garbage collection duties (contracted by the city, I am told) sometime around mid-May. This is around the time the health department were going around Skid Row seeking any and all health violations. Occupy Skid Row took care of their zone as they always do. The resulting Health Department report did not include the Occupied block.

Oddly (or not), the County were asked to power wash the street (as opposed to the city, who have an injunction against removing personal property). As expected, it was a ruse to clear the street. Everyone was told they could not return to where they'd been and also could not stay in the spot to which they'd temporarily moved. Considering that the next few streets in the area had also been cleared and the locals warned to not return (and they hadn't), it was decided to re-Occupy. Police of course arrived and bullied.

Again, "odd" how with a report requesting immediate action on feces, rats and needles, oh my, that CCA first go after Occupy Skid Row. Leaving unresolved the very health hazards about which they most loudly complain. 

The video tells it:



They are told they cannot go back in and retrieve all of their property. A blatant attempt to destroy Occupy Skid Row. Video by David Dang.



Police intimidate and lecture and threaten arrest, marching everyone off the block. Video by Patti Beers.



Or, "Operation Clean Sweep", regarding people. Photo by Damon D'Amato:








Photo by Damon:









Photo by Damon:



THANKS to the Fire Department gent who rescued the bikes!





Photo by Damon:













Photo by Damon:



Photo by Damon:



Thank you Noticias 22!







Thanks Mr. D!









Photo by Damon:



From the Health Department report, cut and pasted into small documents, no other editing excepting cropping and the highlight.

It is interesting to note that the OSR block is outside of the report's mandate. It is also interesting that there is nothing in it even remotely suggesting that the locals be made to permanently leave, or to be inconvenienced so badly they'd have to leave, through not being able to be still for a single moment during the day or face arrest. And of course the cops didn't say where we were expected to go, but it is certainly implied.









SRO housing have not taken any applications for the first five months of this year.

Damon's photostream:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/nohodamon/sets/72157630259184858/with/7429848926/

June 13, Los Angeles Occupations march in solidarity with Montreal students

This is an autonomous video of last night's events; an official OLA statement of solidarity should be forthcoming! We counted 72 persons including OLAers and friends from Occupy The Hood LA, and Occupy Skid Row. 72 people shouting on the steps of city hall. Might that be why the LA Times today posted this? LOL

"Could the end be near for Occupy Wall Street movement?"
 
http://www.latimes.com/news/nation/nationnow/la-na-nn-the-end-of-occupy-wall-street-20120610,0,7439790.story

But this contradiction the week before:

"Council aims to thwart new Occupy protest at L.A. City Hall"

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-0607-occupy-tent-ban-20120607,0,7358400.story

More information:
 
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_78

So: We march in solidarity with the Montreal student strikers, and more! Casseroles!

First video by amberjamiewordpress on youtube.




 


 

 


Erik's photo collection:

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.4285794784072.2181343.1262477200&type=1

Amber's photo collection:

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151830407875529.864270.538070528&type=1

F26. Occupying the Shadow Issues.

To quote OLA member Deirdre:

"The Safer Cities Initiative is being used to criminalize the homeless in an effort to move them out and gentrify the downtown area.   We believe that every person in Los Angeles, particularly the disenfranchised, has a right to shape and design our city's future.  At a cost of $6 million dollars a year, the Safer Cities Initiative was implemented in 2006 by the LA City Council and LAPD, allowing physical attacks by the police on people who refuse to move, seizures of the property of the homeless, and giving police the ability to make arrests for such 'crimes' as sitting on the sidewalk or tying your shoelaces.  SCI has taken the prejudice against, and harassment of, Skid Row residents to an unprecedented level."

Was with fellow Occupier Ron at a teach-in downtown (oddly enough, about protester's legal rights) and decided to walk a few blocks to the Occupy Skid Row encampment. Turns out we were right in time, as a police Captain in an unmarked car crept up to order the last tent standing be taken down per the "Safer City Initiative". I know that =I= feel safer, now that he's collapsed it. Yesh.





TC told us that police had been by earlier and told him that he's going to jail. Nothing specific, just threats. They'll find a reason. And it's a shame. I've met some decent police who would hopefully not go along with these destructive sorts of orders and behaviours.


See also the Occupyshadowmediala and official OLA youtube channels for reports:

http://www.youtube.com/user/OccupyLAMedia

http://www.youtube.com/user/Occupyshadowmediala?ob=0&feature=results_main

F25, Occupy Skid Row General Assembly

Click twice on any photo to see a large version, then click twice on your browser's Back button to return.

Story leading into this:

http://occupyobservations.blogspot.com/2012/02/f20-occupy-skid-row-los-angeles.html 

Update: Police attempt to evict Occupy Skid Row, June 22, 2012:

http://occupyobservations.blogspot.com/2012/06/occupy-skid-row-evicted-and-re-occupied.html







These two on bikes are private security, paid by businesses to ride around and call the cops:








A policeman eventually used his PA to tell us to get out of the street.





















It is worth noting that the tents DID come down:






Livestream by Mr. Cristofani:


Video streaming by Ustream

In this one, there are skits of what happens on Skid Row regarding the police and personal property, and what you rights are, and how to use them.


Video streaming by Ustream